Houston Texans: 10 cut candidates the Texans should monitor
By Avery Duncan
7. Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After a stellar 2016 campaign that saw Cameron Brate score eight touchdowns and pile up 660 yards on 57 receptions, Brate could be a cut candidate just a few years after. New Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians doesn’t tend to utilize tight ends in his offense heavily, while 2017 first-round pick O.J. Howard has proven to be worth his high draft status. Howard’s play is creating less of a need for the well-paid Brate, which could lead to his release.
If the Buccanneers do cut Brate, they will save $7.5 million in 2019 and another $26.8 million over the next four years, per Over The Cap. If he does enter the open market, Brate would be a hot commodity. He’s not a flashy player, but he is a red zone ace with sound capabilities as a blocker.
6. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals could be going into a massive overhaul after the hiring of offense-minded head coach Zac Taylor. The first player to go could be 2012 first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick, who is owed a hardy $33.45 million over the next three years, per Over The Cap. If the Bengals cut him, they could save a hair over $25 million over that same span.
Kirkpatrick is being paid like a borderline-elite cornerback but hasn’t backed that pay up with production. In 2018, the 6-2 cornerback played 13 games, only to put up nine pass deflections and 41 tackles without an interception. That said, Kirkpatrick could still bring any team aggressiveness for the position and size. His pay might not be justifiable for the Bengals, but his play would be for the Texans.